Food Safety: Refrigerated Foods
When to Save and When to Throw it Out
REFRIGERATED FOOD: Food still cold, held at 40 degrees F or above for less than two hours is generally safe. If food has been kept above 40° F for more than 2 hours, use this chart to decide when you need to throw something out.
| Dairy Products |
| Milk, cream,
sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt |
Discard |
| Butter,
margarine |
Safe |
| Baby formula,
opened |
Discard |
| Eggs |
| Fresh eggs,
hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products |
Discard |
| Custards and
puddings |
Discard |
| Cheese |
| Soft cheeses:
blue (bleu or imported), brie, camembert, Colby, cottage, cream, edam, jack, mozzarella,
muenster, Neufchatel, ricotta, Roquefort |
Discard |
| Hard cheeses:
cheddar, parmesan, provolone, Romano, Swiss |
Safe |
| Processed
cheeses (American) |
Safe |
| Shredded
cheeses |
Discard |
| Low-fat
cheeses |
Discard |
| Commercial
grated hard cheese purchased in a can or jar (Parmesan, Romano or combination) |
Safe |
| Fruits |
| Fruit juices,
opened |
Safe |
| Canned
fruits, opened |
Safe |
| Fresh fruits,
coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates |
Safe |
| Fresh cut-up
fruits |
Discard |
| Vegetables |
| Fresh
mushrooms, herbs and spices |
Safe |
| Vegetables,
raw |
Safe |
| Vegetables,
cooked |
Discard |
| Vegetable
juice, opened |
Discard |
| Baked
potatoes |
Discard |
| Commercial
garlic in oil |
Discard |
| Potato salad |
Discard |
| Casseroles,
Soups and Stews |
Discard |
| Meat, Poultry, Seafood |
| Fresh or
leftover meat, poultry, fish or seafood |
Discard |
| Thawing meat
or poultry |
Discard |
| Meat, tuna,
shrimp, chicken, egg salad |
Discard |
| Gravy,
stuffing |
Discard |
| Lunchmeats,
hotdogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef |
Discard |
| Pizza—any topping |
Discard |
| Canned meats
(NOT labeled "Keep Refrigerated"), but refrigerated after opening |
Discard |
| Canned hams
labeled "Keep Refrigerated" |
Discard |
| Pies, Pastry |
| Pastries,
cream-filled |
Discard |
| Pies,
custard, cheese-filled or chiffon |
Discard |
| Pies, fruit |
Safe |
| Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta |
| Bread, rolls,
cakes, muffins, quick breads |
Safe |
| Refrigerator
biscuits, rolls, cookie dough |
Discard |
| Cooked pasta,
spaghetti |
Discard |
| Pasta salads
with mayonnaise or vinegar base |
Discard |
| Fresh pasta |
Discard |
| Cheesecake |
Discard |
| Breakfast
foods: waffles, pancakes, bagels |
Safe |
| Sauces, Spreads, Jams |
| Opened
mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish |
Discard if
above 50° for over 8 hours. |
| Peanut
butter, jelly, relish, taco and BBQ sauce, mustard, catsup, olives |
Safe |
| White wine, Worcestershire sauce |
Discard |
| Fish sauces
(oyster sauce) |
Discard |
| Hoisin sauce |
Discard |
| Opened
vinegar-based dressings |
Safe |
| Other |
| Deli-prepared
foods: salads, coleslaw, cooked meats or poultry, luncheon meats |
Discard |
This information is courtesy of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Visit them online at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/
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